The Famine Next Time
is the title of this New York Times op ed by Samuel Loewenberg. I think it should be mandatory reading. The Horn of Africa is facing massive famine. Loewenberg writes, appropriately I would say,
American attention to the hunger crisis has focused on the dire conditions of Somalis, but they account for just about a third of the 13 million people affected. According to the United Nations, hunger afflicts 4.5 million people in Ethiopia and 3.75 million people in Kenya, which has about half of Ethiopia’s population. An estimated half a million Kenyan children and pregnant or breast-feeding women suffer acute malnutrition.
He also writes
Unlike earthquakes or hurricanes, droughts and food price increases take time to develop, and the resulting hunger crises are forecast well in advance. From water harvesting to livestock support to cash assistance, there are a plethora of steps that could have significantly ameliorated the current crisis. Why weren’t they taken?
There is more, much more, in his op ed, including why it makes more sense to send money than our excess food - the latter loses half its value in transport, while the former allows local purchase which can help build up a sustainable food production system; to build roads - transport of food stuff and broader markets for local agriculture. We know that. You can read what he has to say.
I want to use his column as a starting point for a further discussion.
There are two parts to this discussion. The first is how we are contributing to famine around the world. The second is the real fear of the impact of malnutrition not just around the world, but here at home.
If these topics do not interest you, then please - stop reading.
Otherwise, I ask that you continue.